Quality Learning in Thailand: for Some Or for All?

What: National dialogue on quality learning in Thailand, organized by the Office of the Education Council in partnership with the United Nations in Thailand.

When: Tuesday 6 September 2011, 8:30 a.m.-13:00 p.m.

Where: Infinity 2, King Pullman Hotel

Education is a basic human right and key driver for poverty reduction and sustainable development. In Thailand, great progress has been made to realize the right to education for all children. However, learning achievements have been stagnant and with a significant urban-rural divide. As the country prepares itself to be an aged society and move towards a creative-based economy, ensuring quality education for all becomes even more crucial.

This timely Development Cooperation Seminar will bring together high-level government officials, and representatives from international organizations, academia, the private sector and civil society to review the current status of educational development in Thailand. At the time when the new government has just taken office and is finalizing its own policies, this seminar offers an opportunity to discuss how Thailand compares to other countries and to provide policy recommendations on how to accelerate progress in achieving quality learning for all.

Mr. Tongthong Chandransu, Secretary-General, Office of the Education Council and Ms. Rebecca Hansen, UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand, will open the seminar.

A well-renown academic from University of Hong Kong, Professor Kai Ming Cheng, Chair of Education, will deliver the keynote presentation on the international perspective on quality learning, current status in Thailand and way forward.

An interactive policy discussion will bring together representatives from different sectors to debate the challenges of ensuring quality education as well as deliver key messages to the new government. Two experts involved in setting the educational standards and reform and one representative from the private sector are invited to share their perspectives. Two students will also share their views on the quality of education system and propose future improvements. This debate will be moderated by Ms. Siriboon Nattapan, Channel 3.

Mr. Chinnapat Bhumirat, Secretary-General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission, will close the seminar.

Seminar participants will then discuss specific aspects of education system, looking at the teaching system, educational assessment, private-public partnerships, vocational education, rural and urban divide and the role of the international community, and propose recommendations for action.

The media is cordially invited to attend this important seminar. Keynote speakers will be available to the media and those media who wish to conduct separate interviews should contact the seminar organizers.

Registration will be from 8:00-8:30 a.m. The working language of the seminar will be Thai, with simultaneous English translation available via headsets.

ENDS

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